IU Board Approves New Degrees

INDIANAPOLIS— High school seniors looking for a college close to home may be interested in one of the new degrees just approved by the Indiana University Board of Trustees.

At its June meeting, the IU Board of Trustees approved seven new degrees, including two in the emerging areas of biomedical sciences and engineering.

The new degrees are:

• Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences at IU Indianapolis.
• Bachelor of Science in computer engineering at IU Bloomington.
• Bachelor of Science in business intelligence and data science at IU Bloomington.
• Bachelor of Science in global media at IU Bloomington.
• Bachelor of Science in media advertising at IU Bloomington.
• Bachelor of Science in public relations at IU Bloomington.
• Master of Science in media leadership and business at IU Bloomington.

The new degrees await final approval from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

The Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences would give students the skills needed for roles in health care, biomedical research, and biotechnology. Students would be prepared to enter graduate programs for fields such as genetic counseling, medicine, dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine.

Computer engineering will be offered through IU’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. IU says the program will equip students with the skills required to be experts in the fields of computing, electronics, and digital systems.

The Bachelor of Science in business intelligence and data science involves core classes from the Kelley Schools of Business and the Luddy School. The need for data science professionals is growing. Students with this degree will be able to identify and solve business problems using data-based approaches.

The Media School is offering three new bachelor’s degrees, in global media, advertising, and public relations.

Global media is a program for students with an interest in communications and international affairs. Students will develop skills in reporting, media creation, and strategic communication geared toward global audiences.

IU says its new media advertising degree meets a demand for more media advertising classes at its Bloomington campus. The program will prepare students for jobs in advertising, marketing, sales and communications.

Public relations will move from a concentration within the journalism program to a standalone degree. Doing so, the university says, “better serves students who are interested in public relations but not journalism.”

The master’s program in media leadership and business is a partnership between The Media School and the Kelley School. Graduates will be ready for leadership and business roles in digital and social media, broadcasting, journalism, publishing, advertising, public relations, and entertainment.